Apparatus for installing bricks in a kiln

ABSTRACT

A kiln apparatus for lining an interior face of a shell of a rotary kiln with liner bricks, having a pair of arcuate shoes which are urged in a direction to cause the liner bricks to move into engagement with the interior face of the kiln shell. Each shoe preferably has a resilient compensating layer disposed between the shoe and the bricks, and a protective skin layer therewith.

United States Patent Peiffer et al.

[ Feb. 4, 1975 [54] APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING BRICKS IN 3,298,155 l/l967 Byfield et al 52/749 A KILN 3,466,883 9/1969 Drenkel 52/749 x 3,550,344 12/1970 Maier et al. 52/749 n ors: Jack S. Peiffer; Donald J. Thelen; 3,735,546 5/1973 Newman 52/749 Jimmie L. Moore, all of Houston, Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr. [73] Assignee: J. T. Thorpe Company [22] Filed: Feb. 13, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 442088 A kiln apparatus for lining an interior face of a shell of a rotary kiln with liner bricks, having a pair of arcuate [52] US. Cl. 52/749 shoes which are urged in a direction to cause the liner [51] Int. Cl E04g 21/22 bricks to move into engagement'with the interior face [58] Field Of Search 52/749, 747 of the kiln shell, Each shoe preferably has a resilient compensating layer disposed between the shoe and the [56] Refe e ce Cited bricks, and a protective skin layer therewith.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 0 3,236,397 2/1966 Lakin 52/749 x 15 4 Drawmg F'gures PATENTEUFEB' M915 7 3'. 863 .420

SHEET 10! 2 PATENTED FEB 5 SHEET 2 OF 2 APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING BRICKS IN A KILN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention relates to an apparatus for lining the interior face of the shell of the rotary kiln.

2. Description of Prior Art Prior art provides various apparatus for installing bricks in kilns, such as those devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,073,359; 3,298,155; 3,466,883; 3,550,344.

Numerous disadvantages are found in the prior art devices, such as difficulties or lack of ready adaptation to various kiln sizes, lack of reliability and safety under operating conditions, and the need for a special external compressed air supply for compensating for variations in the shell and bricks, and risk of failure thereof.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Briefly, the present invention provides a new and improved kiln apparatus for lining the interior face of the shell ofa rotary kiln. A pair of arcuate brick-supporting shoes are located within the shell of the rotary kiln and positioned such that the lower ends of the shoes are in lateral engagement with the kiln bricks disposed within the shell while a device for urging the upper ends of the shoes inwardly and outwardly is utilized to engage the bricks with the interior face of the rotary kiln shell.

A resilient compressible layer is disposed in overlying relationship to the arcuate shoes. A protective skin which may be separate from or integral with the resilient layer is provided so that the resilient layer is protected frome damage when bricks are placed thereon. The resilient material compensates for variations in the bricks or the interior surface of the rotary kiln and distributes the forces imparted by the arcuate shoes on the liner bricks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation, of the apparatus of this invention for installing bricks in a kiln, a portion of which is illustrated;

FIG. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view ofa portion of the apparatus, showing the preferred seating member for the arcuate shoes, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, the letter K designates the kiln apparatus of the present invention. The kiln apparatus K includes a pair of shoes S supported by a positioning means P and an actuating means A on a frame F which apparatus is adapted to be mounted within the interior shell of a rotary kiln R. Unless otherwise noted, the components of this invention are made of steel capable of taking heavy stresses and strains without failure, although other suitable high strength materials may be used if desired.

Considering the invention in more detail, the kiln apparatus K rests upon a supporting platform constructed within the rotary kiln R such that the platform surface is in a substantially horizontal position within the rotary kiln R. The elevation of the platform 10 is in proximity to but preferably substantially below the center line of the rotary kiln R. Affixed to the upper surface of the platform 10 are a pair of tracks 12 having any suitable configuration such asa base portion 12b and an angular rail l2r. The base 12b is secured by nails, screws or other suitable fastening means to the platform 10 while the angular rail l2r is made of a standard angle iron and is preferably welded to the base 12b. Alternatively, th entire base and angular rail assembly 12 can be made from a suitably formed piece of sheet steel. Grooved wheels 14 of the kiln apparatus K rest and roll upon the tracks 12. The wheels I4 have a suitable groove 14g to accommodate the rail l2r. As such, the grooved wheels 14 of the kiln apparatus K thus ride on the rails l2r which extend longitudinally through the length of the rotary kiln R. The track 12 allows the kiln apparatus K to be appropriately centered within the rotary kiln R and properly aligned therein. The track 12 specifically limits motion of the kiln apparatus K to that of a longitudinal direction along the rotary kiln R.

Each of the wheels 14 is mountedon an upstanding adjustable leg 16. A wheel axle 16a extends through each wheel 14 and a vertical leg section l6which may be formed in several parts, such as lower leg section 16b and upper leg section 16d which are welded or otherwise connected by flanges 160. The leg section 16d telescopes within an outer sleeve I6e. The upper leg section 16d and the sleeve l6e are threaded to each other internally of the sleeve l6e in any conventional manner (not shown) and a handle 16f is connected thereto so as to be rotated to move the leg section 16d upwardly and downwardly with respect to the sleeve l6e to adjust the position of the apparatus K within the rotary kiln R.

Each pair of the legs 16 are mounted to a longitudinal frame member 20 by support plates or brackets 18. The longitudinalframe members 20 are preferably parallel to each other and are of an l-beam configuration and of ,suitable length to insure a proper wheel base such that the kiln apparatus K will be stable with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rotary kiln R. A transverse frame member 22 which is preferably at least a partially hollow rectangular tubular configuration is welded or otherwise secured to the upper surface 20a of each of the frame members 20. The frame member 22 is mounted substantially perpendicular to and midway of the length of the longitudinal frame members 20 so that the frame member 22 extends transversely across the face of the rotary kiln R. A plurality of braces 24 are preferably welded to both sides of the frame member 22 and to the longitudinal frame members 20 to provide additional vertical and lateral support. The positioning means P preferably is located at each side of the frame F, F and includes at each end of the hollow frame member 22, a telescopic positioning member 26 which is slidably mounted within the hollow portion of the frame member 22 such that the telescopic positioning member 26 can be moved laterally inwardly and outwardly with respect to the frame member 22. A plurality of horizontally spaced holes 28 (FIG. 3) are provided within the telescopic positioning member 26 for receiving a plurality of positioning bolts 30 which extends downwardly into and are connected to a metal bracket 32 by nuts 34 or the like (FIG. I).

is mounted with the longitudinal frame member 20 such that the outwardly extending rod 360 extends from the hydraulic positioning device 36 through an appropriate opening (not shown) in the longitudinal frame member 20, and outwardly therefrom. A pin bracket 38 is affixed to the outer end of the outwardly extending rod 36c such that a pin 40 or other suitable coupler may be inserted through the pin bracket 38 and the metal finger 32 to provide a strong, quickly releasable, movable connection. Suitable openings 36d are in the cylinder 36a to provide an inlet and outlet for hydraulic lines 37 (FIG. 2). It will be appreciated that the stroke of each piston 36b is limited, so that for any selected position of the bracket 32 relative to each member 26, the variation in the diameter of the kiln which can be engaged by the lower ends of the shoes S is limited; however, due to the plurality of holes 28 in each positioning member 26, the metal bracket 32 can be selectively moved and affixed at various positions along the length of each member 26, thus enabling the kiln apparatus K to be adjusted to rotary kilns R of a much greater diameter range while using the constant strokes pistons 36b, and without expensive and/r time consuming modifications.

A vertical frame member 42, also preferably made of a rectangular tubing substantially similar to that used for the transverse frame member 22, is welded at its lowerend to the frame member 22 with gussets 44 or similar reinforcing or strength means. A telescopic actuating frame member 46 is slidably mounted within the vertical frame member 42 and it has a plurality of vertically spaced holes 48 therein to accommodate bolts 50 which are placed through appropriate openings in the vertical frame member and are secured by nuts 52 or the like. Thus, by removing the bolts 50 and sliding the member 46 upwardly or downwardly to align the holes 48 with the holes in the member 42, the position of the upper end ofthe shoes S. A control plat: form 56 may be conveniently mounted to the actuating member 46 by a bracket 54 for locating conventional hydraulic controls 58 and 59 such that the controls 58 and 59 are in a protected position, yet easily accessible. The control 58 can be adapted for use in operating the positioning member P while the other control 59 can be used for operating the actuating member A. The upper surface of the control platform 56 is available for tools or bricks 60 used when using or operating the apparatus K.

The actuating means A includes a hydraulic jack 62 mounted at the upper end ofthe frame member 46 and having a cylinder 62a, a piston 6212, an upwardly extending rod 620, and hydraulic openings 62e for attaching hydraulic lines 64 thereto. A guide cylinder 63 having slots 63a for the lines 64 is provided over the cylinder 62a, as will be explained. A base link plate 66 is welded or otherwise fastened to the guide cylinder 63 and it has upwardly extending fingers 66a therewith to which are attached the bottom portion of pivoted links 68 with pivot pins 70. The upper end of each of the links 68 is secured by a pivot pin 72 to a downwardly extending finger 74a of a link plate 74. The top link plates 74 are welded or otherwise fastened to the shoes S.

The shoes S of the present invention include a pair of arcuate brick-supporting shoes 76 each of which is preferably made of channel steel having a limited flexibility as is shown in the drawings or alternatively, of flat stock, or angle iron, just to name a few alternatives.

Each arcuate shoe 76 is supported at its upper end 76a by the connection with the top link plate 74 which is welded or otherwise affixed thereto. Each arcuate brick-supporting shoe 76 is preferably supported on its lower end 76b by a seating member 78 (FIGS. 1 and 3) which is mounted with each seating member 78 and each telescopic positioning member 26 such that the lower end 76b of each arcuate brick-supporting shoe 76 rests on the base portion 78b of the seating member 78 and is constrained from substantial lateral movement by side portion 78s (FIG. 4) and the locating plate 80. The plates 80 also prevent longitudinal movement of the shoes 76 because of the engagement of the sides 760 with each plate 80. Thus, the bottom end 76b of each shoe 76 is constrained in its movements in all directions, although it may be readily removed vertically from the seating member 78 when the pivot pin 72 is disconnected thereby facilitating replacement of each shoe 76 as desired.

Overlying each arcuate shoe 76 is a yieldable compensating layer 82 that is of a resilient, compressible material such as polyurethane, rubber or any rubberlike material. Affixed and overlying the yieldable compensating layer 82 is a protective skin84 which protects the yielding compensating layer 82 from damage and undue wear. The protective skin 84 can be made of a flexible metal, plastic or rubber material which in turn can be bonded to the yieldable compensating layer 82. In one form of the invention, the protective skin 84 is made from a hard rubber material and is formed integrally with or is united to, the yieldable compensating layer 82 which is of a soft, generally porous, and more resilient than the protective skin 84.

In the use or operation of the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the rotary kiln R, prior to using the kiln apparatus K, is lined with bricks 60 on the inner shell of the rotary kiln R from the base to substantially half-way up the sides of the rotary kiln R. This can be done manually and requires no special apparatus for securing the bricks 60 inasmuch as gravity will prevent the bricks from disengagement with the inner shell 61 of the rotary kiln R. With the bricks 60 so positioned in substantially the lower half of the kiln R, the platform is positioned in the kiln R and the apparatus K is moved into postion thereon. Thereafter, the kiln apparatus K is rolled on the tracks 12 to the appropriate position such that the entire frame F is directly below the row of bricks 60 to be positioned. With the kiln apparatus K in the proper position across the face of the rotary kiln R, the hydraulic control 58 is actuated to move the pistons 36b radially outwardly to force the telescopic positioning members 26 outwardly relative to the frame member 22. With the arcuate shoes 76 in position upon the seating members 78 as described above, the outward radial or lateral urging of the telescopic positioning members 26 forces the protective skin 84 overlying the yieldable compensating layer 82, which is affixed to the arcuate shoes 76, into engagement with lateral bricks 60b which are engagement with the approximate lateral midpoint of the inner shell 61 of the rotary kiln R. This action acts to locate the entire assembly in a position transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rotary kiln R. Also, this action locks the bottom end 76b of each of the arcuate shoes 76 against the lateral bricks 60b engaging the inner shell 61 of the rotary kiln R. 7

At this point, the actuating means A is in a retracted or lowered position with the skin 84 of each of the shoes 76 spaced away from the shell 61 a distance greater than the thickness of a brick 60, except at the lower ends where the bricks 60b are engaged. Therefore, with the lower ends of the shoes 76 in such locked position, there is sufficient space to place bricks 60 upon the protective skin 84 of each of the shoes 76. Thus, the bricks 60 are positioned circumferentially about the inner shell 61 of the rotary kiln R along both shoes 8 beginning with the bricks 60 adjacent to the positioning member P and the bricks 6012, working upwardly to the actuating means A. Thus, the bricks 60 are supported in a shape that substantially conforms to, but spaced from, the inner shell 61 of the rotary kiln R. Substantially all of the bricks 60 necessary to line a circumferential row about the rotary kiln R are thus positioned, with the exception of a key brick (not shown). In this position, the other hydraulic control 59 is actuated, thereby fluidly motivating hydraulic jack 62 such that the piston 62b acts upon the rod 62c forcing the plate 66 and the guide cylinder 63 upwardly. The guide cylinder 63 guides the plate 66 so that it remains substantially horizontal as it moves vertically, and such vertical movement of the plate 66 forces the links 68 upwardly and outwardly causing like reaction with the arcuate shoes 76. This spreading of the arcuate shoes 76 is due to upward force transmitted by the hydraulic jack 62 acting at an acute angle of the links 68 with respect to the vertical. Also, the link attachment allows for movement of the shoes 76 when activating and deactivating the kiln apparatus K.

With the shoes 76 located in the seating members 78 and locked in position by the positioning means P, the upward and outward urging of the upper ends 76a of the arcuate shoes 76 forces the bricks 60 overlying the protective skin 84 into engagement with the inner shell 61 of the rotary kiln R. As the shoes S are moved upwardly and outwardly the yieldable compensating layer 82 yields and is compressed to a greater or lesser extent by each of the bricks as they are forced into tight engagement with the inner shell 61 of the rotary kiln. R. Thus, each of the bricks 60 is moved into engagement with the rotary kiln R with the inner shell 61 of the rotary kiln R regardless of imperfections and irregularities in the shell 61 such as rivets, bolts, and welds often found in interior shells of the rotary kilns. Also, as long as the arcuate shoes 76 are made from a proper flexing steel, shoes S of the same radius will be able to accommodate rotary kilns R within a variable diameter range because of the unique flexing action inherent in the shoes being forced laterally to the side of the rotary kiln R by the positioning means P and by the actuating means A urging the bricks in an upward and outward direction. Upon a return of the actuating means A to a lower or retracted position. the arcuate shoes 76 return to their original configuration from their temporarily flexed and deformed shape.

With the bricks 60 held in engagement with the inner shell 61 of the rotary kiln R, a suitable hydraulic jack 86 is placed between a pair of uppermost bricks 60a (FIG. 1) where the hydraulic jack 86 is fluidly motivated the abutting bricks 60 are forced downwardly and into tight engagement with one another due to the expanding action of the hydraulic jack 86 against the uppermost bricks 60a and correspondingly forcing adjacent bricks 60 into tight engagement. The jack 86 is then removed, and then a key brick (not shown) of the appropriate size is pressed or forced into the opening between the bricks 60a caused by the hydraulic jack Then, the hydraulic controls 58 and 59 are actuated to retract the positioning means P and the actuating means A leaving the row of bricks 60 thus installed in the rotary kiln R. The kiln apparatus K is then rolled longitudinally down the track 12 to begin the foregoing procedure again and repeating the operation until the entire inner shell 61 of the rotary kiln R is properly lined with bricks.

It will be appreciated that the present invention has multiple variables to accomodate kilns having diameters which do not conform to the particular curvature of shoes 76 in use. The telescopic positioning frame members 26 may be replaced with longer or shorter length members, as may the pivoted links 68. Also, the telescopic actuating frame member 46 may be replaced by members of longer or shorter length. Alternatively, the arcuate shoes 76 may be replaced with shoes having different curvatures to accommodate kilns having different diameters. Thus, the same basic frame F, positioning means P, and'actuating means A may be used for kilns within-an extremely wide range of shell diameters. Such usage is in addition to the uses of the apparatus for the more limited range of shell diameters discussed above that do not necessitate making any changes in the apparatus.

lt will also be appreciated that in the operation of the kiln apparatus K of the present invention, there is virtually no obstruction of the working area for operating personnel by the apparatus when laying the bricks.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory'thereof. and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction-may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A kiln apparatus for lining an interior face of a shell of a rotary kiln with liner bricks comprising:

a. a pair of arcuate brick-supporting shoes each having a lower end and an upper end, adapted to be located within the shell of the rotary kiln;

b. yieldable compensating means overlying said shoes and mounted therewith;

c. positioning means for moving the lower ends of said shoes laterally into engagement with kiln bricks when disposed in the shell; and

d. actuating means for urging the upper ends of said shoes inwardly and outwardly after said positioning means has been moved to engagement with the kiln bricks for causing bricks positioned between said shoes and the shell to move into engagement with the interior face of the shell.

2. The structure of claim 1, further including:

a frame having said positioning means and said actuating means adjustably mounted therewith.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein said positioning means includes:

a substantially horizontal telescoping slidable section adapted to be mounted with said frame to move said positioning means inwardly and outwardly relative to said rotary kiln shell.

4. The structure of claim 2, wherein said actuating means includes:

relative to said kiln shell. 5. The structure set fourth in claim 1, including:

i 6. The structure of claim 1, further including:

a frame having a substantially horizontal frame member and a substantially vertical frame member, having an upper end and a lower end, with said vertical frame member disposed substantially midway of said horizontal member.

7. The structure of claim 6, wherein:

said positioning means is mounted at each end of said horizontal frame member and said actuating means is mounted adjacent to said upper end of said vertical frame member.

8. The structure of claim 1, further including:

a seating means adapted for releasable supporting and confining said lower end of each of said shoes.

9. The structure of claim 1, including:

link means pivotally connecting said shoes to said actuating means.

10. The structure of claim 1, wherein:

said yieldable compensating means includea a resilient compressible layer which is adapted to be compressed to compensate for irregularities in the shell or bricks disposed therein when bricks are moved into engagement with the shell.

11. Kiln apparatus for lining an interior face of a shell of a rotary kiln with liner bricks comprising:

a. a pair of arcuate brick-supporting shoes each having a lower end and an upper end adapted to be located within the shell of the rotary kiln;

b. a resilient, compressible, non-inflatable, compensating layer overlying said shoes and mounted therewith;

c. support means for mounting the lower end of each of said shoes in proximity to the liner bricks disposed within the shell; and

d. actuating means for moving said shoes inwardly and outwardly for moving the bricks from a substantially disengaged position to an engaged position with the shell of the kiln.

12. The structure of claim 11, wherein the material of said resilient compensating layer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane and rubber.

13. The structure of claim 11, further including:

a protective skin overlying said resilient means, and

said protective skin is a hard rubber material. 

1. A kiln apparatus for lining an interior face of a shell of a rotary kiln with liner bricks comprising: a. a pair of arcuate brick-supporting shoes each having a lower end and an upper end, adapted to be located within the shell of the rotary kiln; b. yieldable compensating means overlying said shoes and mounted therewith; c. positioning means for moving the lower ends of said shoes laterally into engagement with kiln bricks when disposed in the shell; and d. actuating means for urging the upper ends of said shoes inwardly and outwardly after said positioning means has been moved to engagement with the kiln bricks for causing bricks positioned between said shoes and the shell to move into engagement with the interior face of the shell.
 2. The structure of claim 1, further including: a frame having said positioning means and said actuating means adjustably mounted therewith.
 3. The structure of claim 2, wherein said positioning means includes: a substantially horizontal telescoping slidable section adapted to be mounted with said frame to move said positioning means inwardly and outwardly relative to said rotary kiln shell.
 4. The structure of claim 2, wherein said actuating means includes: a substantially vertically telescoping slidable section adapted to be mounted with said frame to move said actuating means upwardly and downwardly relative to said kiln shell.
 5. The structure set fourth in claim 1, including: seating means with said positioning means for holding and confining the lower ends of said shoes for movement of said lower ends laterally with said positioning means.
 6. The structure of claim 1, further including: a frame having a substantially horizontal frame member and a substantially vertical frame member, having an upper end and a lower end, with said vertical frame member disposed substantially midway of said horizontal member.
 7. The structure of claim 6, wherein: said positioning means is mounted at each end of said horizontal frame member and said actuating means is mounted adjacent to said upper end of said vertical frame member.
 8. The structure of claim 1, further including: a seating means adapted for releasable supporting and confining said lower end of each of said shoes.
 9. The structure of claim 1, including: link means pivotally connecting said shoes to said actuating means.
 10. The structure of claim 1, wherein: said yieldable compensating means includea a resilient compressible layer which is adapted to be compressed to compensate for irregularities in the shell or bricks disposed therein when bricks are moved into engagement with the shell.
 11. Kiln apparatus for lining an interior face of a shell of a rotary kiln with liner bricks comprising: a. a pair of arcuate brick-supporting shoes each having a lower end and an upper end adapted to be located within the shell of the rotary kiln; b. a resilient, compressible, non-inflatable, compensating layer overlying said shoes and mounted therewith; c. support means for mounting the lower end of each of said shoes in proximity to the liner bricks disposed within the shell; and d. actuating means for moving said shoes inwardly and outwardly for moving the bricks from a substantially disengaged position to an engaged position with the shell of the kiln.
 12. The structure of claim 11, wherein the material of said resilient compensating layer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane and rubber.
 13. The structure of claim 11, further including: a protective skin overlying said resilient means, and mounted therewith.
 14. The structure of claim 13, wherein: said protective skin is a flexible metal material.
 15. The structure of claim 13, wherein: said protective skin is a hard rubber material. 